Israel closes roads and most crossings to Jerusalem for Yom Kippur — Anadolu Agency
According to eyewitnesses, Israeli authorities late Sunday evening blocked several main roads in Jerusalem and closed most checkpoints connecting the West Bank with the city. The restrictions were introduced with the start of Yom Kippur.
Movement restrictions
The closure of roads and checkpoints complicated Palestinians’ movement between the West Bank and Jerusalem. As Anadolu Agency reports, eyewitnesses also reported a significant presence of Israeli forces in the city and heightened security measures.
According to them, some Palestinian residents of Jerusalem found themselves in the West Bank and were unable to return home because of the restrictions.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Holiday security measures
Israel regularly restricts vehicle traffic and closes roads during Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. The holiday began on Sunday evening and is due to end on Monday evening. It is observed through fasting, prayers, and the suspension of many daily activities.
The restrictions were introduced amid heightened security measures around the Old City and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Palestinian and Jordanian officials warned of attempts to change the mosque’s current temporal and spatial status quo.
The Jewish holiday season began with Rosh Hashanah on September 12–13. After Yom Kippur, Sukkot will be observed from September 26 to October 2, followed by Simchat Torah on October 3.
